Truck stake arrangement

ABSTRACT

An arrangement of stakes for supporting panels on a flatbed truck. Hollow stakes with tapered bottom ends seatingly fit into pocket brackets mounted to the periphery of the bed. The stakes have triangular shaped cross sections with the corners of the triangle being thickened. Side panels are mounted to the bed being supportingly received by stakes with T-shaped brackets. Corner stakes with parallel first and second walls define vertically extending grooves which receive the edges of end panels. A third wall integral and perpendicular to the second wall defines a vertically extending groove for receiving the edge of a side panel. Tarpaulin rods are secured to the hollow top ends of the stakes.

Umted States Patent 1 3,692,354 Tuerk [451 Sept. 19, 1972 [54] TRUCKSTAKE ARRANGEMENT 3,494,301 2/1970 Sause ..105/382 X Inventor: Robert P.T k Powell X Lane, Indianapolis, Ind. 46250 Fri Ex Be H h mary ammernamin ers [22] Flled: 1970 Assistant Examiner-Leslie J. Paperner [21]Appl. No.: 83,118

[52] US. Cl. ..296/36, 52/281, 52/282,

52/470, 105/378, 296/43, 296/104 An arrangement of stakes for supportingpanels on a [51] Int. Cl. ..B62d 33/00 flatbed truck. Hollow stakes withtapered bottom ends [58] Field of Search ...296/10, 28 M, 29, 36, 43,104; seatingly fit into pocket brackets mounted to the 280/143; 105/337,338, 378, 380, 423; periphery of the bed. The stakes have triangular2/281, 282, 243, 47 479, 495 shaped cross sections with the comers ofthe triangle being thickened. Side panels are mounted to the bedRefelfllm Cited being supportingly received by stakes with T-shapedbrackets. Corner stakes with parallel first and second UNITED STATESPATENTS walls define vertically extending grooves which 3,126,224 3/1964Carter 1 M receive the edges of end panels. A third wall integral CurleyX and perpendicular to the second wall defines a verti- 3,349,533 10/1967 Gregoire ..52/282 X ll m di g oov for receiving the edge of a sideCarskadon paneL Tarpaulin rods are ecured to the hollow top 1,363,05912/1920 Shanahan ..105/307 ends f the stakes 3,097,880 7/1963 Reader..296/36 3,141,698 7/1964 Kandle ..296/36 12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures2T, Mi 2 l0 F 70 d F I7 50 M L 5! Z5 Z3 Z5 25 w. l 24 H l 27 2a 29 I l930 31 32 /3 [I I4 Q Attorney-Woodard, Weikart, Emhardt & NaughtonABSTRACT PATENTEDSEPI I912 3.692.354

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M TORN EYS TRUCK STAKE ARRANGEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Fieldof the Invention. This invention relates to truck structures for highwayuse.

2. Description of the Prior Art. Many trailer structures have beendevised for highway use in order to transport cargo. Some of thesetrailer structures are flatbeds with vertical side walls for containingthe cargo. To improve the versatility of the trailer structure, it isdesirable to convert a trailer without side walls to a trailer with sidewalls and vice-versa. Thus, several trailer structures have-been devisedhaving removable vertical stakes and associated panels. Four of thesestructures are disclosed in the following U. S. Pat. Nos.: 3,126,224issued to Carter et a1; 2,222,335 issued to Dietrich; 1,363,059 issuedto Shanahan', and, 3,174,592 issued to Berman et al.

A major problem with the prior art convertible trailer structures isthat a large amount of time is required to convert the structure from aplain flatbed trailer to a trailer having side and end walls. Thevertically extending stakes are configured to fit and seat within aspecific pocket channel secured to the periphery of the bed. Thesepocket brackets are of standard configuration; however, the internaldimensions of the pocket vary up to a maximum of one-half inch. Thus,the stakes are not interchangeable since they have a size configured tofit within their respective pockets. The present invention solves thisproblem by providing stakes having tapered triangular shaped ends whichare completely interchangeable and fit within all the pocket brackets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is a stake-panel arrangement incombination with a flatbed truck. Hollow stakes having triangular shapedcross sections with thickened corners have tapered bottom ends removablyseated in pocket brackets mounted around the periphery of the bed,Panels are removably mounted atop the bed and are secured thereon by thehollow stakes. Tarpaulin rods have ends seating within the hollow topends of the stakes. The vertically extending edges of side panels seatwithin grooves formed by T-shaped brackets integrally mounted to some ofthe stakes. The vertically extending edges of end panels seat withingrooves formed by a pair of parallel walls integrally attached to cornerstakes. A third wall perpendicular and integral with one of the pair ofwalls defines a vertically extending groove receiving the edge of a sidepanel adjacent to an end panel. Stakes are also utilized to support thecenter section of the side panels.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new, improvedtrailer stake arrangement having interchangeable stakes removablymounted to pocket brackets fixed to the trailer.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a truck bedstake having a hollow top end for receiving tarpaulin rods and a taperedbottom end seatable in a pocket bracket.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide trailer bedstakes which will seat in any standard trailer bed pocket bracket.

In addition to the above objects, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide trailer bed stakes which will support the centersections of panels and which will support an end panel mounted adjacentto a sidepanel.

Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 of the drawing is a fragmentaryperspective view of a flatbed trailer incorporating the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top view looking in the direction of arrows 2-2of the trailer shown in Fig. .1 with bows 40 removed;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3-3 andviewed in the direction of the arrows of Fig. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a delta stake'shown in Fig.1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a delta T stake shown inFig. l. I I

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a corner delta stake shownin Fig. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For the purposes of promoting anunderstanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now bemade to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific languagewill be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understoodthat no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended,such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device,and such further applications of the principles of the invention asillustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to oneskilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a flatbed trailer 10having a horizontal bed 11 as shown in fragmented area 11 forpositioning cargo thereon. Tires 12 are rotatably mounted to the bottomof trailer 10 and conventional extendable supports 13 are mounted to thefront portion of the trailer. A bar 14 is fixedly attached to side 18 ofthe trailer and extends from end 15 to end 16. Bar 14 is spaced awayfrom bed 11 with pocket brackets positioned approximately every two feetthe length of the bed. Pocket brackets 19, 27, 28., 29 and 30 areidentical. These brackets as well as bar 14 are quite conventional andmay be found on most flatbed trailers. The brackets are C-shaped havingtheir ends attached to the bed with their middle portion attached to bar14. Thus, the brackets form rectangular shaped pockets for receiving theupward extending stakes 50, 60 and 70. A bar identical to bar 14 ispositioned on side 17 of the trailer and is also spaced away from theedge of the bed having pocket brackets positioned therebetween and eachbeing aligned across from the pocket brackets on the opposite side ofthe bed. Panels are positioned between stakes 60 and to retain thecargo. The stakes are hollow and receive tarpaulin bows 40 upon which atarpaulin is secured. Bows 40 are rods having ends inserted into thestakes along each side of the trailer.

A perspective view of a delta stake 50 is shown in Fig. 4. Stake 50 hasa triangular configuration enclosing and defining opening 51 whichreceives the tarpaulin bow 40 previously described. Radius 52 of opening51 is approximately 0.745 inches. In the event that the ends of bows 40fit too loosely in the stakes, hollow cylinders, not shown may be pressfitted or secured by other means in the top hollow ends of stakes 50, 60and 70 to receive the ends of the tarpaulin bows 40. Stake 50 may bemade by extruding aluminum so that the wall thickness is approximately)6 inch. Corners 53, 54 and 55 are substantially thicker than walls 56.The thickest portion of each corner is at least 0.300 inch as denoted bydimension 57. The bottom wall, as viewed in Fig. 4, of stake 50 is thewidest of the three walls being approximately 3.250 inches in width asdenoted by dimension 58. The height of the stake, denoted by dimension59, is approximately 1.750 inches. As previously discussed the dimensionof the pockets enclosed by brackets 19, 27, 28, 29 and 30 (Fig. 1) varygreatly. For example, a pocket formed by a bracket may have a length of3 to 3 A inches and a width of 1 92 to 1 inches. The. thick corners 53,54 and 55 of stake 50 allow trimming or tapering of the corners so thatthe stake will readily fit into a pocket bracket. Comers 53, 54 and 55may be filed down with a standard file or may be cut down with a saw orother means. It has been found that it is best-to file or remove aportion of the corners in such a way that the body of the stake taperstoward its end. Thus, the stake may be inserted into any pocket bracketand will still be securely held therein. In fact, stakes incorporatingthe present invention from different trailers may be readilyinterchanged. Bracket 19 is fragmented at 31 to illustrate the taperedbottom end 32 of stake 50.

Delta T stake 60 is shown in Fig. having a delta shaped body 61identical to delta stake 50. A T-shaped bracket 63 is integrallyattached to body 61 defining side panel receiving channels 64 and 65.The corners 66, 67 and 68 are thickened and are identical to the cornersof delta stake 50. An opening 62 is formed within body 61 for receivingtarpaulin bows 40. The bottom end of stakes 60 are tapered in a mannersimilar to stakes 50.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of corner delta stake 70 which'has a deltashaped body 71 identical to body 61 of stake 60 (Fig. 5). Body 71 hasthickened comers 78, 79 and 80 identical to the corners of stakes 50 and60. Opening 72 is formed within body 71 for receiving tarpaulin bows 40.Walls 73 and 74 are integrally attached to body 71. Wall 74 is spacedfrom and parallel with wall 73 forming channel 76 for receiving backpanel 20. A third wall 75 is integrally joined at right angles to wall74 forming side channel 77 for receiving side panel 21. Fig. 3 is afragmentary view of panels 20, 21 and 22 viewed in the direction ofarrows 33 of Fig. 2. Back panel 20 and side panel 21 rest atop bed 11and are secured together by corner delta stake 70. Walls 73, 74 and 75(Fig. 6) extend from the top of stake 70 to a position immediately abovebed 11. Panels 21 and 22 are parallel resting atop bed 11 and are heldin place by channels 64 and 65 (Fig. 5) of delta T stake 60. T bracket63 extends from the top of stake 60 to a position immediately above bed11. Stake 50 is positioned on the exterior side of panel 21 and providessupport therefore. Panels 23 and 25 (Fig. 1) are secured atop bed 11 andare held in place by delta T stake 60. Delta LII stake 50 received inpocket 28 supports panel 23. The described arrangement of panelsandstakes are used completely around the periphery of the trailer bed. Thatis, adjacent panels are secured togetherby delta T stakes 60 with adelta stake 50 being used between stakes 60 to support a center sectionof a panel. Of course, corner delta stakes are used on each one of thefour corners of the trailer to support the end panels with the sidepanels. This arrangement is very satisfactory to contain grain or otherproducts which rest against the side of the panels. Typically, thedistance between pockets is approximately two feet thus allowing maximumpanel support. in many cases, products such as steel girders arecontained within trailer 10 and do not apply a large amount of forceagainst the interior sides of the panels. In the latter case, stakes 50may be removed since the center section of each panel does not require asupport. The panels are typically made from 96 inch plywood and are fourfeet in length. The height of the panels may vary; however, standardpanel heights are 4, 5, 6 and 7 feet. The end panels have identicalheights to the side panels having lengths approximately the width of thetrailer bed.

It will be obvious from the above description that the present inventionprovides a new and improved trailer stake arrangement havinginterchangeable stakes removably mounted to pocket brackets fixed to thetrailer. It will be further obvious that these stakes have hollow topends for receiving tarpaulin rods and tapered bottom ends seatable inpocket brackets. The tapered bottom ends of the stakes are fittable inany standard trailer bed pocket bracket. It will be additionally obviousfrom the above description that the present invention provides stakesfor supporting the center section of the panels as well as stakes forsupporting an end panel to a side panel. The present panelstakearrangement may also be utilized on pick-up trucks and other similarvehicles as well as the semitruck trailer illustrated in the drawing.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that allchanges and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventionare desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

1. In combination with a truck flat-bed having pocket brackets, eachwith a rectangular internal pocket, mounted around the periphery of thebed,

hollow stakes and,

panels removably mounted atop said bed having vertically extending endsbeing supported by said stakes wherein the improvement comprises:

each hollow stake having a cross section configured as a first trianglewith the corners of said triangle being thickened, said stakes havingtapered bottom ends removably seated in, said brackets, said taperedbottom ends having a portion of said corners removed.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the improvement further comprises:

said stakes have hollow triangular shaped interiors;

and,

said first triangle is an isosceles triangle having three thickenedcomers, all of said three thickened corners are tapered at each of saidbottom ends.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein:

some of said stakes have T-shaped brackets integrally mounted thereto,said T-shaped brackets form a pair of laterally open grooves eachreceiving one of said vertically extending ends of said panels.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein:

some of said stakes have first, second and third walls projectingtherefrom and being integral therewith, said first and second walls areparallel and spaced apart forming a laterally open groove receiving oneof said vertically extending ends of said panels, said third wall isperpendicular and integral with said second wall forming anotherlaterally open groove receiving one of said vertically extending ends ofsaid panels.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein:

said T-shaped brackets and said first, second and third walls extendonly from above said bed to the top ends of said stakes.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein:

said bed is rectangular with a pair of ends and a pair of sides;

two of said panels are end panels mounted over said ends of said bed,the remainder of said panels are side panels mounted over said sides ofsaid bed, said end panels are of equal size and said side panels are ofequal size;

said stakes with said T-shaped brackets are positioned between said sidepanels;

pocket brackets are positioned between said stakes with T-shapedbrackets and receive stakes extending upward against said side panels.

9. A stake for use in a truck flatbed comprising:

a length of rigid elongated material of generally constant crosssection;

said cross section being externally triangular and internally triangularso as to define a triangular configuration having three side walls andcorners joining said three side walls;

said corners being thicker than said walls;

one of said side walls being longer than the other two side walls whichare of equal length.

10. The stake of claim 9 wherein said cross section additionallycomprises a T-shaped configuration with the base of the T-shapedconfiguration secured to and extending perpendicular of the one sidewall of the triangular configuration.

11. The stake of claim 9 wherein said cross section additionallycomprises an L-shaped configuration and a I-shaped configuration withone leg of the L-shaped configuration being secured to and extendingperpendicularly of the one side wall of the triangular configuration,said -sha ed confi ration bein secured to and extendin g per pendicul ly of the one side wall of the triangular configuration, said L-shapedconfiguration having its other leg extending from the distal end of saidone leg in a direction away from said |-shaped configuration.

12. In combination with a truck flatbed having pocket brackets, eachwith a rectangular internal said stakes with said first, second andthird walls are 5 pocket, mounted around the periphery of the bed,hollow stakes and, panels removably mounted atop said bed havingvertically extending ends being supported by said stakes wherein theimprovement comprises:

each of said stakes having a cross section configured as an isoscelestriangle with the center hollow of said stakes also being configured asa triangle with the corners of said isosceles triangle being thickened,said stakes having bottom ends removably seated in said brackets.

1. In combination with a truck flat-bed having pocket brackets, eachwith a rectangular internal pocket, mounted around the periphery of thebed, hollow stakes and, panels removably mounted atop said bed havingvertically extending ends being supported by said stakes wherein theimprovement comprises: each hollow stake having a cross sectionconfigured as a first triangle with the corners of said triangle beingthickened, said stakes having tapered bottom ends removably seated insaid brackets, said tapered bottom ends having a portion of said cornersremoved.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the improvement furthercomprises: said stakes have hollow triangular shaped interiors; and,said first triangle is an isosceles triangle having three thickenedcorners, all of said three thickened corners are tapered at each of saidbottom ends.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein: some of said stakeshave T-shaped brackets integrally mounted thereto, said T-shapedbrackets form a pair of laterally open grooves each receiving one ofsaid vertically extending ends of said panels.
 4. The combination ofclaim 3 wherein: some of said stakes have first, second and third wallsprojecting therefrom and being integral therewith, said first and secondwalls are parallel and spaced apart forming a laterally open groovereceiving one of said vertically extending ends of said panels, saidthird wall is perpendicular and integral with said second wall forminganother laterally open groove receiving one of said vertically extendingends of said panels.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein: saidT-shaped brackets and said first, second and third walls extend onlyfrom above said bed to the top ends of said stakes.
 6. The combinationof claim 5 wherein: said bed is rectangular with a pair of ends and apair of sides; two of said panels are end panels mounted over said endsof said bed, the remainder of said panels are side panels mounted oversaid sides of said bed, said end panels are of equal size and said sidepanels are of equal size; SAID stakes with said T-shaped brackets arepositioned between said side panels; said stakes with said first, secondand third walls are positioned between said end panels and said sidepanels.
 7. The combination of claim 6 and further comprising: tarpaulinbowed rods having ends positioned in said hollow stakes.
 8. Thecombination of claim 6 wherein: pocket brackets are positioned betweensaid stakes with T-shaped brackets and receive stakes extending upwardagainst said side panels.
 9. A stake for use in a truck flatbedcomprising: a length of rigid elongated material of generally constantcross section; said cross section being externally triangular andinternally triangular so as to define a triangular configuration havingthree side walls and corners joining said three side walls; said cornersbeing thicker than said walls; one of said side walls being longer thanthe other two side walls which are of equal length.
 10. The stake ofclaim 9 wherein said cross section additionally comprises a T-shapedconfiguration with the base of the T-shaped configuration secured to andextending perpendicular of the one side wall of the triangularconfiguration.
 11. The stake of claim 9 wherein said cross sectionadditionally comprises an L-shaped configuration and a -shapedconfiguration with one leg of the L-shaped configuration being securedto and extending perpendicularly of the one side wall of the triangularconfiguration, said -shaped configuration being secured to and extendingperpendicularly of the one side wall of the triangular configuration,said L-shaped configuration having its other leg extending from thedistal end of said one leg in a direction away from said -shapedconfiguration.
 12. In combination with a truck flatbed having pocketbrackets, each with a rectangular internal pocket, mounted around theperiphery of the bed, hollow stakes and, panels removably mounted atopsaid bed having vertically extending ends being supported by said stakeswherein the improvement comprises: each of said stakes having a crosssection configured as an isosceles triangle with the center hollow ofsaid stakes also being configured as a triangle with the corners of saidisosceles triangle being thickened, said stakes having bottom endsremovably seated in said brackets.